Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

County of Ventura News
Thank you for staying up-to-date on news at the County of Ventura! Want to sign up for our newsletter?
Community members who are not already subscribed may sign up to receive our newsletter in English here and in Spanish here.
150 Days of Celebration
Mark your calendars!
The County of Ventura and the Museum of Ventura County will be holding a series of family-friendly pop-up celebrations across the county in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County. You can catch our team at our first pop-up celebration during the Ventura County Fair on Friday, August 4!
Pop-up celebrations will be held at larger festival events and will feature community organizations that will provide opportunities for adults and children to interact and learn more about the rich history and traditions of Ventura County. These community partners will provide opportunities for residents to participate in arts and crafts activities, enjoy performances, and learn more about Ventura County’s heritage both past and present.
A full calendar of events can be found at www.venturacounty150.com
Join us for the Career & Resource Expo!
Ever considered a career with the County? Here’s your chance to learn more!
The County of Ventura Human Resources Department will be hosting a job and career fair on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.. The event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission or parking.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about careers in administration and support, engineering, environmental protection, planning, agriculture, health care, law enforcement, public safety, public works, recreational services, technology and much more.
All of County agencies and departments will be represented at the expo. Human Resources professionals will be on-site to help educate attendees about County hiring processes, benefits, and the many reasons to choose to join the County workforce.
More information on County jobs can be found at hr.ventura.org
The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures marks 100-year milestone with release of 2022 Crop and Livestock Report
The County of Ventura’s Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures presented the 2022 Crop and Livestock Report to the Board of Supervisors at the regular meeting on Tuesday, July 25. During the presentation, Agricultural Commissioner Ed Williams reported the value of crops for the county for 2022 was valued at $2,127,682,000 – an increase of 2% from 2021.
For twenty years in a row, strawberries have remained the top crop for the county. For the first time, avocados took the number two spot previously held by lemons. Williams credits prices and a production boom for a 95% increase in avocado sales. Nursery stock moved to fourth place followed by celery, raspberries, peppers, blackberries, blueberries and cabbage.
Ocean water quality monitoring report for local beaches
Ocean water quality results for samples collected this week indicate ocean water quality at the following Ventura County beach sampling location failed to meet State standards for bacteria:
• Surfer’s Knoll Beach
Warning signs are currently posted and contact with ocean water should be avoided for a minimum of 50 yards on either side of each posted sign. Warning signs will remain posted until ocean water quality meets State standards. Any items that may have come in contact with ocean water should be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Any shellfish on or from Ventura County beaches may have also been exposed to this contamination and should not be eaten.
Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program staff will continue with weekly bacteriological sampling of Ventura County beaches. Results for specific beaches are also available on the Environmental Health Division hotline (recorded information), 805/662-6555, and on the Ocean Water Program Web page at:
You can also view any current beach advisories and learn about the State ocean water quality standards on the VC Safe Beaches app, available for Android and Apple devices.
County Board of Supervisors approve $1.62M in funding for supportive shelter services in the Santa Clara Valley
On Tuesday, July 25, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve $1.62 million in funding to support efforts to provide housing for homeless individuals in the Santa Clara Valley – serving individuals experiencing homelessness in the cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and the unincorporated area of Piru. The funding from the County will match funding provided by the cities of Santa Paula and Fillmore, as well as the State of California. The funds, which will be provided over a two-year period, starting in 2024, will go to support ongoing operations of a permanent year-round shelter with housing navigation services administrated by the non-profit Spirit of Santa Paula.
“This is a resource not just for one city – it’s for the city of Santa Paula, the city of Fillmore, and unincorporated areas,” said 3rd District Supervisor Kelly Long. “The Spirit of Santa Paula is a homeless shelter with a big heart. It serves a great purpose for the Santa Clara Valley as a whole and represents the city of Santa Paula, the city of Fillmore, and the County coming together to provide this resource. This action today is making the operations of the shelter sustainable for the future.”
This is the 4th initiative approved by the Board of Supervisors to address the growing need for affordable housing and increased services for individuals experiencing homelessness in the region. The Board of Supervisors has established previous agreements with the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Thousand Oaks to support needs related to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness.
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT – AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER & SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is the leader in promoting and protecting agriculture and consumers in Ventura County. Working together with all Ventura County stakeholders, the Agricultural Commissioner builds the necessary structures for long term success into the future. The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer’s Office identifies challenges as they are forming and quickly develops appropriate actions to reach a positive outcome. Excellence of service and continued improvement are key parts of the very structure and operation of the Department.
There are 55 Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers of Weights and Measures in 58 counties across California. They are part of a network of regulatory agencies charged with enforcing regulations affecting agriculture, and weights and measures.
Weights and Measures is a division of the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office of the County of Ventura and is mandated by state law to protect the interests of the buyer and seller to ensure honesty and integrity of everyday business transactions. This protection is accomplished through the enforcement of the laws of the State of California and various federal statutes.
County of Ventura
Public Information Office
800 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura, CA 93009